SIG Sauer President and CEO Ron Cohen issued a statement and a “behind the scenes” look into the company’s role in the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Program. At the same time SIG is announcing a new partnership with SOG Knives and Tools, and after a long wait, that their .45-caliber suppressor is now shipping.
SIG has three components being tested as a whole weapon system in the NGSW Program, a lightweight belt-fed machine gun, a rifle based on the SIG MCX, and a suppressor, all designed around SIG’s 6.8x51mm hybrid ammunition.
“The Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program is the most audacious effort in decades,” said Cohen. “It is the ability to participate in writing history and whatever happens now will dictate the next twenty, thirty, forty years.”
“We are the only company that makes the ammunition and the weapons so we were able to harness the engineers on the weapons side with the engineers on the ammunition side,” he said. “We are the picture of readiness. We are the singular small arms company in this competition, and SIG has the engineering resources, manufacturing resources, asset base and commitment to do this.”
But SIG isn’t solely focused on the military market. They have some interesting new things for the commercial side of the business as well, starting with their new modular centerfire suppressor for .45-caliber pistols and carbines.
Called the MODX-45, this 3D-printed titanium suppressor has seven removable baffles and a core piece that SIG calls the “encapsulator,” the main suppressor component. The suppressor can be fit with .578×28 and M16x1xLH pistons or direct-thread adapters for use with fixed barrels.
Depending on the configuration, the suppressor can measure as little as about 3 inches long and less than 5 ounces in weight, or all the way up to a little over 9 inches long and just under 12 ounces with all of the baffles installed. All of the components have a black DLC finish for protection and ease of cleaning and servicing.
At 1.38 inches in diameter, this is a pretty slim suppressor, thanks to the 3D-printed construction, and should fit under a large range of handguards when paired with a carbine. Each MODX-45 comes with both pistons, a fixed barrel spacer, and all the disassembly tools needed for maintenance.
The MODS-45 is now shipping with real-world and online prices floating around $900.
For fans looking to show off their EDC SIGs, SIG Sauer is now working with SOG Specialty Knives and Tools on a set of minimalist, utilitarian folding knives with clips. They’re SOG’s XR-type lightweight knives with thumb locks and quick-deploy blades.
The entry-level model is the Terminus XR Black, with a clip point blade and G10 grips. Stepping up from there is the Ultra XR Carbon, with a lightened clip point blade and carbon fiber and titanium construction.
And at the high end are two limited edition Legion Vision XR folding tantos in cool grey and flat dark earth. These are only available to SIG Legion members and feature the SIG Legion emblem engraved in the handles.
At a time when it seems like most companies are getting overwhelmed just getting products out the door, SIG is continuing to develop and bring to the market cool and innovative products. For more about these and the rest of the SIG catalog, check them out online.